Housing Specialist- Bilingual

Rochester Housing Authority • Rochester, NY

1d

About The Position

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:
Assists with the activities of a small housing office, assigning tasks to clerical workers and monitoring workflow; Interviews prospective participants to complete housing applications and collect eligibility information and documentation, explain RHA and HUD programs and guidelines, eligibility requirements and lease restrictions, and the rules and regulations applicable to public housing and Section 8 programs; Conducts recertification of housing eligibility for current participants; Interviews new and current participants to obtain data regarding income and household expenses and to collect documents of proof; Verifies that information provided by housing participants is accurate by inspecting documents and contacting social service agencies, employers, etc. by phone or mail; Determines eligibility and suitability of participants for residency in public housing and Section 8 programs; Computes income and expenses to determine participants rental charges according to the Authority's policies and HUD's rules and regulations;
ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Ability to maintain confidentiality of information; Ability to multi-task and be efficient; Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, management and participants both verbally and in writing, in both English and Spanish; Ability to communicate in writing by preparing documents such as correspondence, memos, simple reports and work orders; Ability to handle daily caseload and maintain files which includes lifting (up to 25 pounds) and transporting of files; Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages; Ability to write clearly and transfer and transcribe written and oral information accurately; Ability to read and understand complex regulations, procedures and guidelines; Ability to follow office procedures; Ability to explain rules and guidelines in terms appropriate to the audience; Ability to interview individuals in order to obtain necessary information; Ability to translate from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish; Ability to operate a computer;

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• Associate's degree in Human Services or Business Administration or a related area AND Two (2) years of work experience involving explaining complex information and making determinations based on complex rules, guidelines or procedures, in fields such as, but not limited to, social services, financial aid, insurance claim investigation, employment and training intake, mortgage origination, housing eligibility intake
• OR Four (4) years of work experience as described in I-B
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information
• Ability to multi-task and be efficient
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, management and participants both verbally and in writing, in both English and Spanish
• Ability to communicate in writing by preparing documents such as correspondence, memos, simple reports and work orders
• Ability to handle daily caseload and maintain files which includes lifting (up to 25 pounds) and transporting of files
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages
• Ability to write clearly and transfer and transcribe written and oral information accurately
• Ability to read and understand complex regulations, procedures and guidelines
• Ability to follow office procedures
• Ability to explain rules and guidelines in terms appropriate to the audience
• Ability to interview individuals in order to obtain necessary information
• Ability to translate from Spanish to English and from English to Spanish
• Ability to operate a computer

Responsibilities

• Assists with the activities of a small housing office, assigning tasks to clerical workers and monitoring workflow
• Interviews prospective participants to complete housing applications and collect eligibility information and documentation, explain RHA and HUD programs and guidelines, eligibility requirements and lease restrictions, and the rules and regulations applicable to public housing and Section 8 programs
• Conducts recertification of housing eligibility for current participants
• Interviews new and current participants to obtain data regarding income and household expenses and to collect documents of proof
• Verifies that information provided by housing participants is accurate by inspecting documents and contacting social service agencies, employers, etc. by phone or mail
• Determines eligibility and suitability of participants for residency in public housing and Section 8 programs
• Computes income and expenses to determine participants rental charges according to the Authority's policies and HUD's rules and regulations

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees